From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

A wave, silent yet turbulent, quietly spread in a small scope.

The small scope mentioned here specifically refers to big cities like New York and Los Angeles, and specifically to the small group in these big cities that cares about movies.

For them, the "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" craze was a major event, with everyone discussing it; but for others, it held no significance whatsoever.

In other words, the general public.

If the general public, after a long absence, wanted to go to the cinema to relax, "Dawn of the Dead" was clearly a wiser choice during the off-season window of March.

This is not a complaint, but reality.

It is precisely because of this that Hollywood industry professionals are generally calm and have reached a tacit consensus:

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" has exploded in word-of-mouth, fully igniting the enthusiasm of film critics, taking the lead in the new awards season cycle and making a name for itself.

If there are no accidents, the film should be able to create some waves in the awards season, just like Charlie Kaufman's previous work, "Adaptation."

However, it is only March now. The last Academy Awards just concluded half a month ago, and people are still discussing "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" sweeping all before it. There are still more than six months before the next awards season begins. During this period, a large number of excellent works may emerge in Hollywood. Whether the word-of-mouth of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" can continue until the end of the year is still unknown. It is really too early to discuss the awards season now.

It is precisely because of this that "Being John Malkovich" and "Adaptation." have won Charlie Kaufman countless praises and admiration from film critics in Hollywood, but he has never been able to find his place in the market—

It has some artistry, but not enough; it has some humor, but it doesn't count as comedy; it has some commercial appeal, but it can't cater to the tastes of the general public; it has some awards season temperament, but it doesn't conform to traditional aesthetics.

It seems to have a little bit of everything, but it doesn't quite fit into any category, so that the work is in a difficult-to-classify position, and Charlie Kaufman's position in Hollywood has become strange and awkward.

Judging from the current reviews and word-of-mouth, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" has once again detonated the brain hole, but it is still typical Charlie Kaufman, as always.

As for the box office?

Heh heh, don't be silly.

If these old guys in Hollywood who watch movies, make movies, and immerse themselves in the world of movies every day can't adapt to Charlie Kaufman's style, let alone the general public?

For most viewers, what they crave are adventure, explosion, and hero-driven movies like "Mission: Impossible", "Terminator 2", and "Jurassic Park"; not a high-concept work about a cowardly and fragile man traveling through his brain trying to recover his memories with his ex-girlfriend.

Even Focus Features is self-aware, and its release scale and publicity strategies are in line with the independent art film route, with absolutely no intention of taking risks.

The current hustle and bustle is ultimately just an illusion, a self-entertainment and wishful thinking limited to a small group of enthusiastic movie fans.

For the market, "Dawn of the Dead" is much more attractive.

Even, from another perspective, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is very likely to be making a wedding dress for "Dawn of the Dead".

Originally, March was the off-season. This year was the first time in history that the Oscars were held a month earlier. All major film companies were aiming at the gap in April to advance and warm up for the summer season, but no one was sure how to arrange the March schedule, so that market publicity and marketing were lukewarm, and the general public was not very interested in going to the cinema.

Now, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" has detonated the focus in a series of events, attracting public attention in a mighty way, igniting enthusiasm in the desolate and deserted March, and awakening a trace of desire deep in the audience's souls to enter the cinema.

However, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is still difficult to become the choice of the masses. In this case, it is only natural for the audience to choose "Dawn of the Dead" to adjust their mood with the mentality of "Since we're here anyway."

Who knows, the excitement is for "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", but the box office is for "Dawn of the Dead"?

In the overwhelming wave of praise for "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", don't forget that "Dawn of the Dead" is also a highly anticipated classic remake. It doesn't even need deliberate publicity. The general public already knows this work. As for the media's overall score of 59, it is not that important.

The fact seems to be proving this—

Friday.

When long lines formed in front of the large and small art cinemas and independent cinemas in New York for "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", the large chain cinemas in the bustling areas of the city were a different scene. The flow of people was no less impressive.

Although there was no need to queue, the figures gathering in twos and threes still made people feel the signs of the market thawing and warming up, bidding farewell to the cold winter and ushering in the dawn of spring.

On the one hand, the films led by "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" are still exerting the Oscar effect, and on the other hand, the March film market has triggered a long-lost wave of heated discussions.

Such a scene is also a new scene for the North American film market—

Could it be that the impact of the early Academy Awards ceremony is now taking effect?

The media also went to interview, and enthusiasm could be seen on the faces, no less than the reaction before the release of "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace".

"'Dawn of the Dead'!"

"Long live Romero!"

"Of course it's zombies. Spring is the season when zombies emerge from the ground, right?"

These subcultures that are usually not valued, not paid attention to, and even despised and rejected also have their own loyal supporters.

They stick together tightly, are more enthusiastic and more affectionate, because the culture they support is excluded from the mainstream, and there are not many opportunities to win public attention, so once such an opportunity arises, they will do their best to give support—

To some extent, it is consistent with the original intention of the Angelica Film Center.

For example, right now, "Dawn of the Dead" actually has a remake!

Does this mean that other classic works can also be seen by large Hollywood film companies and win remake opportunities?

Regardless of the quality of the film, regardless of the media's overall score, anyway, let's support it without thinking first. Who knows when the next zombie theme will be?

As for the viewing experience, as for the quality, it's not too late to scold them after they come out of the cinema.

If the quality of the film is terrible, they will definitely scold it, and even scold it more fiercely than others. The deeper the love, the more severe the criticism; but scolding is scolding, but it does not affect them from entering the cinema and giving support with practical actions, hoping that Hollywood film companies will see that these subcultural works also have market potential.

Thus, the cinemas in March presented a very different but extremely interesting scene.